Latrigg from Keswick walk

This Latrigg from Keswick walk is a fantastic hike for families visiting the Lake District. Not only is it achievable but it has amazing views of the town of Keswick from the summit of Latrigg on a good day. Find more fantastic Family walks Lake District here.

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This walk below is 6 miles in total, from Fitz park and back. There is a car park just 1 mile from the top of Latrigg which is a great limited mobility path (find full details below). This Latrigg walk is one of our favourite walking routes in the northern fells.

Where is Latrigg fell?

Latrigg is one of the lowest fells in the Lakes. It is part of the Skiddaw mountain range. It is located close to Keswick in the northern Lake District. It is one of the smaller wainwright walks making it a popular walk including with families.

Where to park for this Latrigg walk

There are plenty of pay and display car parks in Keswick. We usually park at the Rugby club where it is currently £4 for all day parking. Parking in the centre of Keswick and walking to Fitz park adds a mile on each way. There is a car park by Fitz park (BMX park side) that doesn’t add as much on to the walk.

There is also limited free on road parking along the side of the road (Brundholme road). As mentioned above there is a very small car park on gale road, nearer to the summit of Latrigg summit from which it is a very easy walk (1 mile each way on a well-defined path).

Latrigg walking route

This is an easy family-friendly Wainwright walk that I know you are going to love. It’s in close proximity to Keswic town centre too.

The starting point of the walk is from the gate at the edge of Fitz park, behind the BMX track where you join Brundholme road. From this gate turn right and walk alongside the road.

Shortly after passing a sign for Briar Rigg on your right, you will see a sign post for Skiddaw on your left, along a public bridleway called Spooney green lane.

This path crosses the A66 via a long bridge.

You’ll then pass through a gate into Latrigg woods and the path starts to rise steeply. This is the steepest part of the walk and it lasts for about 500m. Ignore all paths leading off to the right.

As the path starts to become less steep, there is a more open path where you’ll get to start enjoying amazing views of the lake district and the surrounding mountains.

Continue on this path, crossing two streams until you come to a wooden gate. Go through the gate and continue on this path. To your left you can enjoy beautiful views of Skiddaw.

You’ll come to a path off to the right signposted, 3/4 mile to Latrigg summit. To follow the full route ignore this path. If however you need to make the walk a bit shorter then you can follow this path to get to the summit a little sooner. The path is clearly sign posted.

If you want the slightly longer walk then ignore this sign post as you will come back down by this route. Instead follow the initial path which will zig zag it’s way up to the small car park I mentioned above.

As you approach the car park you will notice the path up to the summit above you on the right. Join this main path and it will take you to the summit. It’s a smooth, gradual walk up to the summit. Don’t expect any rocky scrambles.

Once you reach the summit you can enjoy panoramic views of Derwent water and Borrowdale valley. There’s even a bench where you can enjoy a well earned resting place with a spectacular view.

There is a path from the bench that goes a little higher but don’t expect a trigg point. This little fell offers something special! Wlking this little bit further gets you to this great vantage spot with fantastic views.

At this point you are ready to return by the path you came up back down to Keswick. You can follow the same path downhill until you find a path that forks off to the left (the one on the right is the main path you just came up). This path will take you back to the summit signpost you past earlier. At this point turn left and retrace your steps back to Fitz park.

If you are walking in wet weather, which let’s face it happens a lot in the Lakes, take care on that initial steep section on the way back down.

Extending or shortening this walk

This is a linear walk, meaning you walk the same route and down pretty much (there is a small circular option near the end). You can find lots of different routes including circular Latrigg walking routes but they tend to be longer than we wanted to walk with our kids (this one is 5 miles from the back of Fitz park).

Here is a longer circular route – Keswick and Latrigg Circular which includes the old railway line. We chose to walk the full old railway line on a separate visit.

You can do a much shorter walk of just over a mile from the small car park near the summit. Find full details here – Latrigg: a short stroll

Here is a short route to the summit that is suitable for wheelchair users – Miles Without Stiles 38: Latrigg

You may also like to explore Keswick town centre after your walk. You’ll also find a great play area in the opposite corner of the park once you are back at the start of the walk

If you like to use OS maps on your walks, this is the one you need this one for the route map – * North Western Lakes

Nearby walks and things to do

If you want a less challenging walk (flat ground) then I can recommend the Keswick to Threlkeld railway trail which runs alongside the river Greta.

If you fancy a forest walk with Gruffalo and friends sculptures then head to this article on Whinlatter forest walks.

Find more walks in this area here – Family walks near Bassenthwaite.

Find loads of Things to do in Keswick here.

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